A neutral trizirconium cluster with chelating and exobidentate dialkoxide groups. The synthesis and crystal structure of Zr3(μ3-O)-(DMPD)4(DMPDH)2 (DMPDH2=2,4-dimethylpentane-1,4-diol)

Zr3(μ3-O){[CH2C(CH3)2O]2}4 {[HO(CH3)2CCH2C(CH3)2O]}2 was prepared by a transesterification reaction between Zr(O-n-Pr)4 and 2,4-dimethylpentane-2,4-diol, DMPDH2. The product was obtained as a white crystalline solid containing discrete molecules of a μ3-O bridged trizirconium cluster with one chelating DMPD, two chelating DMPDH groups and three exobidentate DMPD groups, with one end bonded to a single Zr atom and the other bridging adjacent Zr atoms. The two chelating DMPDH groups form strong hydrogen bonds to the oxygen atoms of the chelated DMPD group.